QL Resources to build biomass plant

QL Resources Bhd, a diversified agriculture group based in Malaysia, says it may be ready to build the first commercial scale biomass power plant on new technology it developed in the next fiscal year. The company, which is involved in oil palm plantations apart from being the biggest producer of semi-processed raw fish paste in Asia, has been working on process technology that can turn empty fruit bunches, a palm oil waste, into biofuel that generates renewable energy. Analysts are excited about the proposed plant as QL is the only company with the patented technology to date. (November 25, 2009)